Progress towards a national multisectoral programme

″MOVE FOR HEALTH” in FYR of MACEDONIA,2003

“THIS IS THE TIME FOR INCREASED FOCUS ON PREVENTION”

″The Move for Health Day is served as a trigger to facilitate the development of
sustained national and local physical activity initiatives, policies and programs, including a
wide range of possible, accessible, enjoyable and culturally activities″ (WHO/HQ,
Noncommunicable disease prevention and health promotion, Professor Puska P, 2003.)

The Move for Health Day was organized as part of a larger and sustained "Move for
Health Initiative" to promote physical activity and related healthy lifestyles within the
macedonian population, throughout 2003. The celebration was the first step toward the
implementation of the CINDI Programme in FYR of Macedonia, in the context of an
integrated approach to the prevention of NCD.

″ TO MOVE AND HEALTH, TO SPORT AND CULTURE, TO YOUTH ″

The Move for Health Day was a global partnership-based Initiative which involved all
relevant sectors in the FYR of Macedonia: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and
Science, Ministry of Culture, Macedonian Medical Society-Assotiation of doctors for sport
medicine, Agency for Youth and Sport, Federation of the Sports Pedagogues, WHO Office –
Skopje, NGO Sport for All etc. with linkages to other on-going health, sport, educational,
environmental, social and cultural events and activities at local, national and international
levels.

″With the first celebration of Move for Health

Day in FYR of Macedonia we are in the big
family with all Former Yugoslav Republics and
worldwide societes, rich and poor nations,
developed and developing countries to
achieve our common idea: move for health
and well–being″, said Prim. Dr. Vera Simovska,
MD., PhD, national coordinator of CINDI
Programme on the opening ceremonial on the
1st Congress of science in sport and sports
medicine in Belgrade, Serbia, 2003.

Prim. Vera Simovska, MD, PhD. National coordinator of

the Programmes: “Macedonian CINDI” and “ Move for health” in Macedonia

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 National Coordinator of CINDI Programme in FYR of Macedonia, and Executive Counsil
with leadership and coordinating role for the event ″Move for Health Day″ have been
continued to develop of national multisectoral strategy and programme ″Move for Health”
during 2003-2004.

Macedonian ″Move for Health″ Counsil was in constant communication with sports
activists, recreational active population, public and their relation with culture, and
tradition, in general.

In the focus of the celebration of Move for health Day in FYR of Macedonia was
affirming the sports and recreational activity through culture, education and joining our
youth. All these evants emphasized the fundamental role of culture and tradition in sports
and physical activity for healthier lifestyle.

During the past 15 years in the FYR of Macedonia, noncommunicable disease have
become a major epidemic as consenquence of rapid social and economic changes, lack of
clear national policy direction and rapid transition in lifestyle. A major cause of
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity is lack of physical activity, unhealhty
diets and increased tobacco use.

″EVERITHING TO MARK PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/SPORT FOR HEALTH″

Among the most important events toword ″

Move for Health Day/Initiative″ in the FYR of
Macedonia, 2003 was undoubtedly the
“Symposium on Sport and Physical Education
of youth” organized by The Federation of the
Sports Pedagogues and President, Professor
Aleksandar Naumovski in collaboration with the
Executive Council ″Move for Health″.

Professor Aleksandar Naumovski,

President of the Federation of Sports Pedagogues

The Symposium was attended by representatives from Balkan National Federations of

the Sports Pedagogues, authors from the country and scientific workers, specialist of
sports medicine, instructors in physical training etc. 90 papers were submitted dealing
with almost all aspects of sport and physical education of school-children and students.
One of the most important topic was decentralization in sport and future direction.

In additions to the basic topics of sport and physical education, the Symposium also
covered the presentation of Programme ″Move for Health Day/Initiative″, 2003-2004, by
national coordinator of Macedonian CINDI Programme, Vera Simovska, MD. PhD.

It was agreed that the time forthcoming is the time of sport as an important element of
the young people,s education which become a crucial part of the society.

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 Sports for health, happiness and hopes for youth was the part of the conglusions, so
as that the urgent needs of creation a new concept of sports development in FYR of
Macedonia in accordance with the contemporary movement in Europe is reality.
CELEBRATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/SPORT FOR HEALTH

Balkan cross country championship, tennis competition of medical doctors and

mountain climbing marathon ″ Skopje-Vodno-Matka″ were organized in May, 2003 with a
target to promote Move for Health and approach all young people.

MEDIA ACTIVITIES

Newpapers: highlighting physical activity/sport and health benefit on 10 May, 2003.

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 Newpapers on 10 May 2003 in FYR of Macedonia

RESPECTING TRADITIONS

The traditional manifestation of Mariovo is one of the best event in the FYR of
Macedonia. Mariovo-Meglenian encounters is continuosly being held in a successful maner
keeping the traditions.

According to the Counsil of municipitality Vitoliste evidence, over 800 emigrants from all
Balkan countries, Australia, Canada and US took part in this event so far.

Original cultural-lyric and spiritual creativity and sport in addition in May, 2003 was
iniciated by the Ministry of culture, Ministry of Education and Science of FYR of Macedonia,
in communication with Counsil ″Move for Health Day/ Initiative″,NGO ″Sport for All″, ″GARD″
etc.

The atmosphere in the auditorium of the green area, 1800 m. over the see, in beautiful
and sunny day reached the destination of their old memory and challenge.

The remarkable quality of the folk-singers and dancers had also a share in the overall
impression.

Vitoliste – Mariovo, FYR of Macedonia, May, 2003.

Vera Simovska, MD. PhD.

National coordinator of the programmes:
Macedonian CINDI and Move for Health

See WHO websites:

Move for Health 2003, Initiatives Around the World
www.who.int/hpr/physactiv/mfh.initiatives.shtml/

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 MACEDONIA: Short report of activities and “ Move for Health”
programme
in the Republic of Macedonia
www.who.int/hpr/physactiv/docs/mfh_macedonia_2003.pdf/